Determination of Optimum Frame Rates for Observation of Construction Operations from Time-Lapse Movies

Construction professionals have been using time-lapse movies in monitoring construction operations. However, some amount of detail is always lost in the interval between two consecutive frames in a time-lapse movie. This poses the question: By how much can the frame rate be lowered from the standard 30fps (frames per second) to allow for the accurate observation of construction operations from a time-lapse movie? This paper addresses the problem by establishing the optimum frame rates for observation of activities related to mortar mixing and block handling. The activities were first recorded at the standard rate of 30fps. Using the Adobe Premier Pro video editing software, the records were then segregated into still images from which 15 different time-lapse movies of various time intervals were generated. The movies were then shown to 25 Construction Managers. A structured questionnaire was employed to capture the level of accuracy with which Construction Managers could interpret the job site situation from each movie. The results suggest that 1fpm (frame per minute) is sufficient for the accurate tracking of labourers involved in mortar mixing while 1 frame in every 20 seconds is sufficient for accurate identification of number of cement bags used. However, for tracking number of blocks off-loaded, and those damaged, 1 frame in every 2 seconds is required

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Effects of \u3cem\u3eFicus platyphylla\u3c/em\u3e Extract in Mice and Rats

The methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla Del.-Holl. stem bark was investigated for anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested against egg albumin-induced edema, while the analgesic effects were studied using the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and formalin test in mice. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of Ficus platyphylla possess significant, dose dependent anti-inflammatory effects. The extract also inhibited pain caused by acetic acid in mice and reduced pain episodes induced by formalin. The intraperitoneal LD50 in mice was 2000 mg/kg

<span style="font-size: 20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Evaluation of methanolic extract of <i>Ficus platyphylla </i>on <span style="font-size: 20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">gastrointestinal activity </span></span>

63-67<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">Methanolic extract of <span style="font-size:14.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt; font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">Ficus platyphylla was tested on isolated rabbit jejunum, rat duodenum and gastrointestinal motility in mice. The extract showed a biphasic effect on isolated smooth muscle. Lower concentration or extract caused contraction, while higher concentrations produced relaxation. The contractile phase was attenuated by atropine, while relaxant phase attenuated histamine induced contraction or guinea pig ileum. The extract also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of gastrointestinal motility. Acute toxicity test in mice established LD<span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:6.0pt;font-family:" arial","sans-serif""="">50 value (ip) or the extract to be 2000 mg/kg. <span style="font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">Preliminary phytochemical screening or the extract gave positive test for flavonoids, tannins and saponins. </span

Postsynaptic Dopamine (D2)-mediated Behavioural Effects of High Acute Doses of Artemisinin in Rodents

Artemisinin or qinghaosu is the active principle of quinghao (Artemisia annua L.) developed from Chinese traditional medicine, which is now widely used around the world against falciparum malaria. Behavioural effects of high acute doses of artemisinin were studied on spontaneous motor activity (SMA), exploratory behavior, apomorphine-induced stereotype behavior and pentobarbital sleeping time in mice and rats in order to provide additional evidence on its safety profile on the central nervous system (CNS). Effects of the drug on bromocriptine-induced hyperactivity in short term reserpinised mice were also evaluated. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of artemisinin at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg, significantly (P\u3c0.05) reduced the SMA in mice, prolonged the pentobarbital sleeping time in rats, and attenuated the apomorphine-induced stereotypy in mice. Mice pretreated with reserpine, showed a significant decrease in locomotor activity compared to the saline-treated group. Bromocriptine, a D2 receptor agonist, induced locomotor activity in mice pretreated with reserpine which was attenuated by artemisinin. The results suggest that artemisinin possesses sedative property, which may be mediated via postsynaptic dopamine (D2) receptor in the CNS

A method of predicting changes in human gene splicing induced by genetic variants in context of cis-acting elements

Background: polymorphic variants and mutations disrupting canonical splicing isoforms are among the leading causes of human hereditary disorders. While there is a substantial evidence of aberrant splicing causing Mendelian diseases, the implication of such events in multi-genic disorders is yet to be well understood. We have developed a new tool (SpliceScan II) for predicting the effects of genetic variants on splicing and cis-regulatory elements. The novel Bayesian non-canonical 5’GC splice site (SS) sensor used in our tool allows inference on non-canonical exons. Result: our tool performed favorably when compared with the existing methods in the context of genes linked to the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). SpliceScan II was able to predict more aberrant splicing isoforms triggered by the mutations, as documented in DBASS5 and DBASS3 aberrant splicing databases, than other existing methods. Detrimental effects behind some of the polymorphic variations previously associated with Alzheimer’s and breast cancer could be explained by changes in predicted splicing patterns. Conclusions: we have developed SpliceScan II, an effective and sensitive tool for predicting the detrimental effects of genomic variants on splicing leading to Mendelian and complex hereditary disorders. The method could potentially be used to screen resequenced patient DNA to identify de novo mutations and polymorphic variants that could contribute to a genetic disorde